On being kind

Friday, February 6, 2015

I’m supposed to be writing on the topic “random acts of
kindness”. More specifically, nice things I do for people without any reward.

This caused me pause. I had to really try and think of
things that I do for other people. Am I not a nice person?

Sure, I’ve given extra money in the Tim Horton’s drive
through so the person behind me could have coffee for free but I haven’t done
that in a while.

Then, the more I thought about it, the more it felt like I
shouldn't have to think this hard about nice things I do because it really
should just be part of who I am.

Have I been so worn out that I’ve stopped being nice?

No. That can’t be right. Right?!

I try and do nice
things for the people I love. Mr. B particularly benefits from this. Wait, let
me clarify because I know where your heads are going.

If I’m grocery shopping or something I’ll pick up things I
know he likes just because I know he likes them. I never attend the dollar
store without getting him candy (because he LOVES candy).

It’s the little things.

AND I completely and totally appreciate it when he does
stuff like that for me. Like the other day, he said “I got you a treat” and I found
a Reese’s peanut butter cups.

It’s so little but it says “I was thinking about you”.

I try and be
intentional about being kind to strangers like holding the door or letting a waiting car go in front
of me (though I secretly, now not so secretly, get a little irritated when people
don’t wave likely defeating the whole
purpose of being kind without needing appreciation lol).

I do other things too, but writing about them feels a little
un-modest.

This got me thinking about WHY I do kind things and why I
think that’s important.

First, because it feels amazing when someone does something
kind for you so imagine how it feels when you do something for someone else.

While we’re not rich, we’re fortunate is so so many ways and
can certainly stand to spare our time and money (within reason) for people and
causes in need.

It feels good. Being kind, even when no one knows it was
you, feels good.

I want my daughter to be kind, not because someone praises
her, but because she wants someone else to feel good. She’ll learn this from
us.

Why not?!

The world can be a crappy place at times. We have no idea
what a lot of other people are going through or struggling with at any given
time. We often have the power to brighten someone else’s day by simply being
kind. It doesn't need to cost money, it can be holding a door, giving someone a
compliment, or empathizing with someone’s plight. Regardless what you do, I
guarantee you’ll feel better for it.

26 comments:

It's so obvious from everything you write on your blog that you are a nice, kind person! I think the little things are the important things - and the world needs lots of those! Have a great weekend & hope you're feeling better!

I love this post! I think we should be kind all the time. I always try to compliment people when I get the chance. My husband thinks I'm crazy sometimes, but I like to see people smile. For example, there was an elderly lady who had on the cutest sequin hat one night out at a restaurant. I felt silly walking over to her table to tell her I like it, but it seriously made her day and we had a great little conversation! I think we both ended the conversation with happy feelings:) So, especially when I feel silly doing something like that, I try to push myself to do it anyways.